Drum Teacher Reacts: Primus - Wynona's Big Brown Beaver

[@aviatr9542]

If you look at a behind-the-scenes of this song's music video production, it's really interesting - they recorded all of their performance in the "plastic suits" at about half-tempo. Then the recordings were sped up to normal tempo, to emulate the sort of robotic/abrupt movements they make in the video. Absolutely brilliant stuff. Tim Alexander is such a sick drummer.

[@fubar1217]

Tim is one of my biggest early drumming influences!

[@s.henrlllpoklookout5069]

I can't imagine it being easy to play at full speed in those suits either

[@flapjackson6077]

That’s a very interesting bit of information! I’ll have to go back and watch it now with that understanding! 🤙

[@keefriff99]

Primus is one of the most technically proficient bands ever, but a lot of that has been overshadowed by their bizarre sense of humor.

[@Atlas_Redux]

Sometimes, you just gotta have fun ;)

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Makes sense that Buckethead hangs out with them.

[@erolbulut2584]

As FZ asked: 'Does Humor Belong in Music?'

[@meh2365]

@@erolbulut2584absolutely we need less serious bands

[@Freedom35ab]

I love Tim's playing on Southbound Pachyderm. Incredible dynamics.

[@bacongl]

That roll at the beginning is epic af. Love the sound of his kit on that record.

[@redhotchilifan98]

Ah, Herb Alexander one of the most underrated drummers in my opinion. His timing in the pocket is absolutely insane. His feel is effortless.

[@guzziguy2011]

Tim’s work on this tune is so clever. Emulating a horses Gallup. Perfect

[@Thelius42]

It still blows my mind these guys were hovering around the top pop charts for a while

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Right!?

[@drums4lyfe0987]

I understand why les vocals are not for everyone, but as I was raised listening to frank Zappa I thought it was hilarious and fits the wackiness of their music perfectly.

[@matthewmcalley392]

Live Primus you say 'Those Damn Blue Collar Tweakers' live at Woodstock 94👍

[@Steely_Fran]

Yup. I was there!

[@clintpot8521]

Lol. I missed that one but I think I saw Primus and Helmet on tour around that time!

[@MapMan44]

….the punch of the bass drum. …….the crispness of the closed hi-hit. The closer you listen the better it gets. Yes, there are “crazier” Tim Alexander drum parts, but his choices here are incredibly tasteful. I already had utmost respect for him, then witnessed him play the entire “Farewell To Kings” Rush album a couple years ago. What a beast.

[@Karl_Drogo55]

the military drum roll with the double kick bass drum always gets me at the end

[@t_bone12571]

"Jerry Was A Race Car Driver" & "Tommy The Cat" show off Tim's unorthodox bass drum licks, the latter guest stars Tom Waits as Tommy. Glad you finally got the title out, this was my ex's fave Primus song and video.

[@danlindberg1940]

Jerry was a racecar driver is by far the Primus song I like most to play.

[@Steely_Fran]

Some of my favorite Tim Alexander drumming is in the tune "Mr. Krinkle". Especially towards the end when the song picks up.

[@georgelynch6139]

Ler is a massively underrated guitarist. On the track “My name is mud” he found all the chords and notes that didn’t fit…. and that’s what he played, creative genius 😎

[@timothymurray8102]

He has always played bass, Larry was the guitarist

[@georgelynch6139]

@@timothymurray8102 That’s what I said, Ler is the guitarist

[@timothymurray8102]

@@georgelynch6139 my bad miss read what you posted

[@TheBigburcie]

The bass drum work on this is amazing. It's almost like a roll into the main beat as opposed to the usual single beat on 1 and 3 etc.

[@brutesquadbbq2268]

One thing I think often gets left out about this album is how good the drums sound. Such a great natural sound. A great song to listen to for the drum part is Over the Electric Grapevine from the same album

[@justinbowles2614]

Southbound pachyderm too

[@brutesquadbbq2268]

@@justinbowles2614 yes absolutely, a good live version in particular.

[@ChurchOfTheHolyMho]

I don't think I've ever thought of Les as singing... I've always thought of it as storytelling / telling tall tales with awesome musical accompaniment. And I've always been jealous that he can give the story its timing and space - and yet manage to keep his bass playing in time with the music. I can't do that.. I have to line the words up with the beat - or my bass playing would be off. Crazy.

[@millerbeer01]

"That's Herb, the ginseng drummer!" Tim is one of my faves. Saw them not too long ago, touring on Rush's "A Farewell to Kings" album. He'd be my pick if Geddy and Alex ever decried to jam together again.

[@flapjackson6077]

That’s an interesting choice! 🤙

[@macedindu829]

Tim's drums are sick as shit. Really, the whole band is incredible.

[@I_AM_BAYTOR]

The second guitar solo makes me so happy.

[@mightyV444]

I'd first heard of Primus through some of my German friends telling me about them having opened for Rush during their 'Roll The Bones' tour (in '91, I think - Heaven knows why I didn't go there myself?? It would turn out to be my only opportunity to see Rush in person!). Anyway, my first impression of Primus' actual music was the 'South Park' theme and 'Tommy The Cat' not long after - and I was disappointed that their style wasn't my cuppa. Until a few years ago, when YT recommended me _this_ song, and I clicked on it because the thumbnail pic looked intriguing 😀 And I loved this song straight away and especially together with its clip (There's also a 'Making of...' video, by the way), so eventually I decided to give them another shot by listening to a whole bunch of their other songs - but STILL wasn't able to get into them! 😅 Oh well... And after discovering this song, I'd first assumed that it had been released only fairly recently; I was VERY surprised when I found out it was already 25 years old at that time! 😳😄

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

That's a good point! It does sound new

[@mushroomcloud222]

First, Larry LaLonde is a sort of underappreciated guitarist. First, he was in Possessed whose Seven Churches is taken to be the first death metal album and already some of the guitar work shines. So that's to your death metal comparison. And, in Primus, LaLonde just fills the space besides the spotlight as Les Claypool essentially is the Jimi Hendrix of bass guitar, but then, excellent musicians to support you are priceless. But perhaps a suggestion of what to further elaborate on in your Primus reaction - it's not like it weren't a rock band, but at the same time everyone in Primus is doing something slightly different, role-wise, than what's expected in a typical rock band.... the bass being the most noticeable thing, then you realize the guitarist is doing all these clever things to keep things interesting and moving (sorry, I'm a guitar player so my attention is in that direction) but what about Tim Alexander? Anything he's doing that's not just a matter of individual playing style but a sort of off-the-rails that makes sense and you can get away with exactly (and perhaps only) in this band?

[@lsu1992]

Larry's intro solo to "Storm in my Mind" could go toe to toe with anyone else's in 1987.

[@ice-iu3vv]

what does primus have in common with zz top ? they both have a genre named for them. primus calls themselves "funk-thrash", and zz top is "texas-boogie".

[@WishForTheNight]

Completely forgot they existed, yes great drumming and not that easy indeed. Great simple reaction Andrew.

[@OriginalMomo]

All Primus songs have interesting drum tracks. Check out…. Tommy the cat Jerry was a race car driver

[@Dylansventures_42]

JOHN THE FISHERMAN is another good one.

[@colinwallace5286]

Interesting that RUSH took them on tour as an opening act, as all three enjoyed their music. Also interesting to note that Mr Claypool can cover RUSH in convincing (and very respectful) fashion. It’s just fun, and sometimes you just need some Primus to keep you going.🤣😎

[@pmnphxaz]

You should check out their cover of A Farewell to Kings. I went to the concert here in Phoenix, "Herb's" home town. I wore my Rush t-shirt from 1992 when I saw them both fir the first time, and bootlegged it. Kiddos, it was a thing back in the day, like walking up hill both ways in the snow in July to school.

[@pmnphxaz]

Just remember Primus Sucks!!

[@danlindberg1940]

I just love the sound of that bass drum!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

YUP

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

I commend you for no interruptions ! 👍😃🎶🏆✌

[@Fatsatan]

Tim “Herb” Alexander is an amazing, uber talented drummer! It’s very hard to find but even his work with his band Laundry is amazing also, the album Blacktongue is one hell of an audio exploration

[@mvunit3]

AWESOME album! Primus without the comedy, and with a unique vocalist.

[@palladinodessa8988]

Primus always grooves with an oddity - but it is always talent too. I just cannot ever get over Les and the bass - truly gifted and creative. Les is just brilliant (and in about 20 bands - maybe more...)

[@Duct_Tape.]

You know... I'm not the fig plucker, I'm the fig plucker's son, but I'll pluck figs till the fig plucker comes. Try that one.

[@ryn8349]

I'd love and Kill my goldfish for you to do Mate/Morgan Band - Min Hast ( Live performance from a show Morgan Ågren had called "TRUM" It's such a study of pure pocket, and reading of the fellow musicians, plus some signature Morgan of course

[@mvunit3]

Mats/Morgan ;). And yes, he should checkout "Trum" :).

[@walylama1672]

Damn, seems like get your channel grew significantly since the first Primus video, since Primus reactions are just about all I watch on here.

[@dmwalker24]

I loved this when it came out, when I was 15, but honestly I was maybe catching 10% of what they were actually doing musically. Honestly, Primus somehow managed to do what whole generations of atonal composers never really could. Any time you hear the bass and guitar playing notes in the same key, it's only because the two keys they're actually playing in happen to share those notes. And yet somehow it all works.

[@ultimusarcheopteryx7957]

Thanks,for this moment....

[@dnczardnczar]

Been a long time but loved it. Too many are just too serious about music!

[@walterfleury3840]

I am going to see them live in August, I cannot wait.

[@hawktb9]

Great song, hilarious reaction! 🤣

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Thanks for watchin man!!

[@bayareathrasher666]

Primus first album is a live album called Suck on This. I was there Berkeley, Ca

[@rastamon5969]

One of my fave songs of all time

[@jay-remedy-plz]

Perfect choice, It’s been a while on this one. Maybe the new guy in town is Cam Cole? Let’s see him work his magic on this channel!

[@hughneutron5303]

i knew your accent would trip you up on this one! HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA, that was a good laugh

[@metalkechkech3491]

bonjour je suis français et je suis PRIMUS depuis le début, j'ai eu la chance de les voir en concert et pour moi cela reste toujours la performence musical avec 3 musiciens qui on toujours bien fusionner ensemble et toujours très créatif les clips la musique c'est leur signature. et j'ai toujours considéré Les Claypool comme le Jimi Hendrix de la basse même si le style ne plait forcement pas à tout le monde mais alors que dire du son de Primus Suprenant

[@emarsk77]

If you want to listen to Tim Alexander in a proggy (or rather "outlandish fusion") situation, maybe check something by Attention Deficit: it was him, Alex Skolnick, and Michael Manring.

[@ronstewart6362]

I have a ton of respect for Les as a bassist but i always thought it was just noise. Theyre great musicians!! I seen them open for Rush in the 90s presto tour. My drummer was a Huge fan but i just didnt get it. But I was high as hell at the show 😂

[@djamel3010]

Une dinguerie ce groupe!

[@SteveCoronado2]

Les is a great bassist. Undeniably great. 🤘🏻💥🔥🙏🏻💯

[@tomdarnell4369]

For a really good time, try Jilly’s on Smack. Kinda trippy, but really cool. There’s a live version. Bonaroo. I think.

[@johnbrice4293]

Love your channel bro.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

I appreciate that John!

[@casartelliclaudio1220]

Musicalmente fantastici. Les e' incredibile. il video e i costumi sono divertentissimi.

[@dinh71]

To this day, I cannot say this title without a childish, immature chuckle! 😂

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Glad it's not just me :)

[@srudine]

For a live performance try Tommy the Cat, Bonnaroo 2011. It's a hoot. Thanks Andrew!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Sounds good!

[@daviddevilliers2828]

King crimson belew’s period, rush, yes were the sources of inspiration

[@glennhall9257]

Live? Watch and listen to “Jilly’s on Smack” from the Lollapaloiza festival. “John the Fisherman” is always good live or not.

[@sacramento60]

Primus playing Tommy the Cat Live at Bonaroo would be a good choice for the live performance. I wish you would check out Tim Alexanders opening to the song Eleven though. Really cool solo/intro. Maybe just listen to Eleven's intro before watching the Tommy the Cat performance?

[@BrianYates-ue8hf]

🤘🤘PRIMUS SUCKS🤘🤘 (You'll understand if you do some live stuff) And this is a prime example of their suckiness lol Tim is an amazing drummer in a trio of amazing players Larry is a jazz cat and you can hear it in his chord choices and solos and what can you say about Les that already hasn't been said Primus was about 10 yrs ahead of their time but it still sounds as fresh today as it did 30 yrs ago Thx Andrew 🧐😎✌️🤘

[@mannybravo237]

Lar was in Possessed, as well, best 'black' thrash metal band from SF Bay area.

[@chopperdeath]

As goofy as they can seem, they art top shelf players. Super tight.

[@jangles1839]

I've always found this video is disturbingly satisfying!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

I know what you mean!

[@shannonchurchill4556]

I would also suggest "Lee Van Cleef" by Primus, as well as "Tommy the Cat"

[@blakephelps7619]

Tommy the Cat live at Bonaroo and Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers live at Woodstock 1994.

[@academaciated7466]

Sailing the seas of cheese ❤

[@daviddevilliers2828]

Tim is a great underrated drummer

[@hughneutron5303]

by the way these were super heavy and HOT latex suits. les himself said this shoot was torture

[@OBIWANCANOLI77]

You need to do Mike portnoy learning pneuma

[@mvunit3]

And I guess he is :D

[@williamvandusen2115]

crazy band Primus !!!!!!

[@PANIC_aka_PinD]

This song was nominated for a grammy in 1996 :p .

[@mightyV444]

By the way, Andrew: Are you sure he's using a double-kick pedal? I'd come across comments of people being blown away by him playing that stuff with only 1 pedal. I'm not a 100% sure which of the two versions is true though, I admit 😄

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

I always assumed he's a dbl kick guy

[@mightyV444]

@@AndrewRooneyDrums - I did a bit of online digging, and it looks like your assumptions were actually correct, too! How anti-climactic (to me)! 😅 ...Nah - It still is terrific drumming, of course! 😉👍 But also: I'd recently come across a great female German drummer on IG, who has some impressive heel/toe kick-pedal technique videos on her channel. Christin Neddens. When I see/hear people like her drum, it's very obvious that drumming has evolved MAHOOSIVELY over the past two decades (during which I had hardly drummed myself) 😳😅

[@thomashverring9484]

I'm gonna call my beaver Andy!

[@andarchy1386]

I'm your beaver!!

[@thomashverring9484]

@@andarchy1386 Your desire! (Sorry, it made me think about the song from that lady shaver commercial 😅Venus! Strangely fitting!)

[@academaciated7466]

Herb the ginseng drummer 💪🏻

[@danomac]

Andrew love your channel bro! Any chance for a Nuclear Power Trio Reaction? They will not Disappoint!

[@mannybravo237]

Primus still Sucks! 🤘🏻SF Bay Area Thrash scene, '86 Possessed w Larry, and Les, the caricature of distorted funky zaniness, rooolz😎 ..n the toys go winding d o w n 🦫

[@beatmet2355]

In most cases I can see vocals being a barrier, but not Les with Primus. Why would you want any other vocal for them? It suits them perfectly.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Oh I can’t imagine anyone else for Primus 🤘

[@jhamilton1007]

would much rather listen to Les Claypool sing than say, Bob Dylan. What Les may lack vocally he far exceeds with his masterful bass playing. One of the best ever, in my opinion, outside of Cliff Burton.

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Closest thing to Primus are Mr. Bungle or Deli Creeps

[@ChavaUnz]

if do you want to lisent an a amazing primus master piece?? drumm solo and the bass solo check out tommy the cat from the rhinoplasty album its the best version you can get

[@Mr.Goodbar517]

That was tight

[@MsBenlane]

geddy lee and les claypool seem to be friends.

[@nicholasvinen]

Geddy was a big inspiration to Les and Primus opened for Rush on at least one tour (possibly two) so I would imagine so. Also they played together at the somewhat recent Southpark event.

[@addy3164]

More Primus!!

[@marcmacbasa2019]

Primus is the only band that got their own .ID3 genre tag...literally they are their own genre. They're like tool, but gone completely left field.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Nice comparison. I like that rebel approach

[@sonnythebeast]

I fell you fall into the category of loving primis or hate them it's a love hate relationship. I love how corny they are

[@derkabronen]

Can you say "purple burglar alarm"? :D

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

No.

[@teemupohjalainen7327]

Primus week!

[@lsu1992]

Larry Lalonde's claim to fame should always be a Godfather of Death Metal as a member of Possessed.

[@headofamonster]

Don’t forget that Primus recently toured playing Rush’s A Farewell to Kings. Herb is a badass! You need to see the video of him drumming with Danny Carey. Tim Alexander is no joke, bloke 😂 🤘😎🤘 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppfNcqh3hZt1hsUfeature=shared

[@addy3164]

Listen to Eleven by Primus

[@chucku00]

It's fine to say Les isn't a great singer. But he's an awesome vocalist : his delivery, pace and tune stability is flawless once you get over the tone. Heck, I'm quite sure even Maynard couldn't do the same thing with this song or with "Tommy the cat".

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

100% He's unique!

[@jamesbrothers4222]

HOW ABOUT DEFY THE LAWS OF TRIDITION AND ELEVEN 😂😂😂

[@eliezarsawesomechannel4917]

You said this song took you back? It should have taken you back to South Park because these are the guys that play the South Park theme song.

[@louisd95714]

I think the song and video is most suited for stoners, no?

[@sfwbbkid]

Andrew Deberias ver este video de CALEB Cover slipknot- kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3a7poesh5mgnrM

[@mic-drop-74]

Quite abit of American slang in here lol

[@Wolfiecolada]

primus sucks!

[@warren_r]

^^^^ For those not aware, this is a long-running inside joke with the band. They'd introduce themselves as "We're Primus and we suck!"

[@mvunit3]

@@warren_r Its hilarious we have to "explain" why we say that :D. There was a couple behind me at my 3rd show seeing them, and the woman asked her husband; "Why are they saying that?" :P.

[@bradpriebe9218]

The vocals are unconventional and not for everyone in the same way as Geddy Lee. Do they have the best voice? Not really. Does it fit well with the band and the music? Yes. Is it unmistakable as them? Absolutely. Like you said, those are just an observation. It doesn't mean it's bad. And yes, Les Claypool gets the lion's share of the attention. But a band doesn't get to be successful with only 1 person able to play. And while Les stands out more in his "field", the other members are arguably equally accomplished.

[@BillFirecox]

Primus Sucks

[@jarodeddy859]

This isn't even Tim's best performance. Try something like Over the Electric Grapevine, Spaghetti Western, or Fish On.

[@donnelson6694]

I never got into Primus. Just not my cup of tea.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yup I can understand it. Pretty kooky stuff

[@MsBenlane]

i liked the instrumentalists better than the singer frankly.

[@rogerwalters9557]

Primus Suck 😉

[@mkmccoy6929]

Primus Sucks!!!!!

[@clintpot8521]

Primus sucks! 🤣

[@egoogl]

primus sucks though